05 April 2004 Monday 14 Safar 1425 Opposition urged to join NA debate ISLAMABAD, April 4: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Sunday that the National Assembly will hold a debate on the NSC bill provided the opposition participated in its proceedings. ... MMA calls for renaming NSC ISLAMABAD, April 4: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has called for renaming the proposed National Security Council (NSC) as national advisory council, replacing the president with prime minister ... MMA grapples with difficult problems KARACHI, April 4: A meeting of the Supreme Council of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal is scheduled for April 8 in Karachi to elect a new president, the office which fell vacant after the death of Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani who before his death headed the six-party alliance. ... QJP opposes setting up of NSC ISLAMABAD April 4: The Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) has opposed the setting up of National Security Council (NSC) terming it unnecessary in the presence of Defence Committee of the Cabinet. ... PPP vows to resist dictators RAWALPINDI, April 4: The Pakistan Peoples Party on Sunday observed the 25th death anniversary of former prime minister and the PPP founding chairman, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, reiterating its pledge never to bow down before any military or anti-democratic power. ... IMF conditions for loans criticized: Tribute paid to Z. A. Bhutto LARKANA, April 4: Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto) chairperson Ghinwa Bhutto has said that the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a leader who had roots in the masses. ... AJK leader warns against 'secret deal' on Kashmir MUZAFFARABAD, April 4: The AJK chapter of People's Party (PPAJK) on Sunday warned Islamabad against striking any "secret deal" on Kashmir. ... Pukhtuns fed up with politicians: ANP KARACHI, April 4: The president of Awami National Party, Sindh chapter, Shahi Syed, has conceded that the common man particularly the Pukhtuns are fed up with the tall claims of politicians because they have failed to deliver during the last 50 years. ... Leghari defends Wana operation TORONTO, April 4: Claiming that Pakistan is moving forward on the economic front, former President Farooq Ahmed Leghari says a lot more is to be done to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in the country. ... JI jirga seeks end to Wana operation PESHAWAR, April 4: A tribal jirga which concluded here on Sunday, urged the government to stop military action in the South Waziristan region and trust the tribesmen who are making sacrifices to restore peace in the area. ... 'Religion a motivating force, not a battle cry' WASHINGTON, April 4: Pakistan is carefully trying to reduce religious influence in the army while retaining the Islamic identity of its soldiers, The Washington Post reported on Sunday. ... Winners of gold medals to get cash prizes, says Gen Hasan ISLAMABAD, April 4: Chairman 9th SAF Games Lt. Gen. Arif Hasan on Sunday said the government would fulfil its promise of awarding cash prizes to the national players winning medals in the ongoing 9th SAF Games. ... PIAC told to reconsider promotions KARACHI, April 4: The Federal Service Tribunal set aside on Saturday the proceedings of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation promotion board, which promoted five medical officers in September 2000 ... Tussle for control of new service not resolved: Departments refuse to change stand LAHORE, April 4: A Punjab cabinet committee has yet to resolve the tussle between the home and the law departments regarding the control of the proposed independent prosecution service ... UK scholar sees flaws in US policies on Iraq KARACHI, April 4: British scholar and peace activist Prof Michael Rustin said on Sunday that the US would soon realize that its position in Iraq was untenable and the only way out was elections. ... Kabul urged to let refugees vote in polls LAHORE, April 4: Islamabad has proposed that Afghan refugees staying in Pakistan should be registered as voters and allowed to take part in the elections to be held in the war-ravaged country in September. ...

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